Sports

By The Associated Press The Players Championship offers the biggest prize in golf for stroke play at $25 million. It just no longer has the strongest field because of players who have been suspended for defecting to LIV Golf. That includes the defending champion, Cameron Smith of Australia. The schedule has largely cleared out to

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer Alabama freshman Brandon Miller, whose tremendous season on the court has been clouded by controversy off it, is The Associated Press player of the year and newcomer of the year in the Southeastern Conference. Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams was named coach of the year on Tuesday in voting by

By The Associated Press Tyree Appleby of Wake Forest is The Associated Press ACC player of the year. Appleby is a graduate transfer from Florida who became the Demon Deacons second straight player to earn the honor after Alondes Williams took it a season ago. Jeff Capel of Pitt was voted the ACC coach of

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer The women’s professional tennis tour has launched a commercial enterprise with CVC Capital Partners to increase revenues for the sport. The global investment manager is contributing $150 million for a 20% stake in what will be known as WTA Ventures LLC. WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon says the

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NFL teams might have considered Zay Flowers a one-dimensional wide receiver a decade or two ago. Today, the 5-foot-9, 182-pound former Boston College star understands he cannot rely solely on his 4.42-second speed to make plays. He must be a more complete player. So Flowers spent

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer Selection Sunday looms as AP Top 25 teams in major conferences get their final chances to impact where and why they play in the NCAA Tournament. In the nation’s top leagues, there could be significant swings based on early exits or title runs. Here’s a look at what’s ahead

LAUSANNE A top Russian gymnastics coach whose athletes won numerous Olympic gold medals has been suspended following vehement criticism of judges who ended Russia’s winning streak in rhythmic gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympics. The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation has barred Irina Viner from coaching or officiating at any competitions in international gymnastics for two years. That

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elias Pettersson scored the only goal in the shootout and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-3.Pettersson, Vasily Podkolzin and Dakota Joshua had goals in regulation for the Canucks, who recovered after giving up a two-goal lead in the third period to get their third win in four games.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tristan Enaruna scored 24 points to propel No. 3 seed Cleveland State to a 93-80 victory over second-seeded Milwaukee in the semifinal round of the Horizon League Tournament. The Vikings will play No. 4 seed Northern Kentucky in Tuesday’s championship game with an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament on the line.

By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mikey Anderson scored in the third period and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Washington Capitals 4-2 for their fourth straight win. Adrian Kempe, Phillip Danault and Vladislav Gavrikov also scored, and Pheonix Copley made 20 saves as the Kings won their sixth straight game on

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Jordan Johnson scored 32 points to propel No. 7 seed New Orleans to an 82-78 victory over third-seeded Southeast Louisiana in the quarterfinal round of the Southland Conference Tournament. Johnson sank 9 of 20 shots with three 3-pointers and 11 of 12 free throws for the Privateers (12-19), who will play

By YURI KAGEYAMA and STEPHEN WADE Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — In Japan they call pitcher Roki Sasaki the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” which translates roughly into a “once-in-a-generation superstar.” In simple English, Sasaki is likely to be the next big thing out of Japan following Shohei Ohtani, who debuted five years ago with